CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures rise as gold extends gain, oil advances on US-Iran tension

Feb 4 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index rose on Wednesday as precious metals extended their gains, while oil prices climbed amid simmering tensions in the Middle East after the U.S. shot down an Iranian drone.

March futures on the S&P/TSX composite index SXFcv1 were up 0.5% as of 5:35 a.m. ET.

Toronto's resources-heavy benchmark index .GSPTSE closed higher on Tuesday, extending its rebound, as strength in mining shares overshadowed a tech selloff - led by U.S. and European software companies, linked to Anthropic's updated AI chatbot.

Spot gold XAU= on Wednesday gained 2.3% and silver XAG= climbed 5.5%, maintaining its recovery, while copper rose on China's plan to expand its strategic reserve. GOL/ MET/L

Oil prices also firmed after the U.S. military said on Tuesday it had shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, raising fears of potential escalation between the nations.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 were up 0.65% and 0.8%, respectively.

Canada's aviation regulator said it was working with the Federal Aviation Administration over delays in approving Gulfstream jets, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to decertify and slap tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft.

In corporate news, Suncor Energy SU.TO beat fourth-quarter profit estimates on Tuesday as higher production helped offset the impact of weak commodity prices.

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($1 = 1.3653 Canadian dollars)